Chapter 173: Disagreement

"I thought we were the Avengers. Turns out, we're being treated like criminals," Sam said, frustration clear in his voice. "The government will track us, with endless firepower at their disposal! And since the U.S. is a signatory, that means we're vulnerable right here at home."

As a former soldier disillusioned by the Insight Project, Sam's disappointment with the Council was evident.

"Still," Rhodey interjected, "117 countries are backing this. Are you really not taking that seriously?"

"117?" Thor scoffed, chuckling. "That's all? I've destroyed more than 117 planets over the years."

"We're Avengers, not destroyers," Steve replied, his tone serious. "We don't rely on threats."

Vision, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Since Tony revealed himself as Iron Man, the number of superhumans has increased rapidly, and world-ending disasters have followed suit. There could be a causal link. The emergence of superpowers has invited challenges, and these challenges create conflict, leading to disaster. Regulation is something we must consider."

As a super-intelligent being, Vision's words carried weight. But Thor had his doubts.

"So, what you're saying is, having power invites targeting? No wonder so many countries have willingly given up their nuclear weapons. They must be doing great now, right?"

Vision was momentarily speechless. The recent histories of places like Ukraine and Libya spoke volumes.

"Tony, what's your take?" Natasha asked, noticing his uncharacteristic silence.

"He's already decided," Steve replied, his voice flat.

"God, you know me so well," Tony sighed, standing up and starting a video on the screen. It showed a young Black man and some details of his life.

"His name was Charles Spencer," Tony began. "A good kid with a bright future. He wanted to do some good before graduating and planned to spend his summer building eco-friendly housing for those in need. Guess where he went? Sokovia."

Everyone fell silent, already anticipating the tragic conclusion.

Tony continued, his expression heavy. "We can't know what went through his mind in his final moments because, in the heat of our battle, we threw a building on him."

His voice dropped. "We need accountability. I'll accept any form of oversight. Without regulation, we're no better than the villains we fight."

Steve responded, "So, because someone died on your watch, you're giving up?"

"I'm not giving up."

"If you're not responsible for your actions, that's what it means. These documents are just a way to shift the blame," Steve argued, standing and raising his voice. "In my time, America stood for real freedom, for justice against evil. But now? This country's been corrupted—it's a 'beacon' trying to control the world. How do they say it?"

"Dragon slayers become dragons," Thor said quietly.

The debate was growing heated, and Rhodey spoke up. "It's not S.H.I.E.L.D., or HYDRA, pushing us here. It's the United Nations!"

"They're still human," Steve replied. "Humans have agendas and selfish motives. Insight was HYDRA's plan, but politicians wanted it to control us. What if, someday, we're sent somewhere meaningless on their orders? What if they need us here, but we're off on some pointless mission?"

Thor leaned in, his voice low as he addressed Tony. "Tony, you keep bringing up Sokovia. But have you considered that this agreement wouldn't have stopped you from creating Ultron? At most, you'd have gone through a few extra applications and approvals. But that same agreement might have delayed us when it was time to stop Ultron."

"Without an agreement, they'll just force us to sign eventually," Tony muttered, frustration etched in his face. "Things will only get uglier…"

Natasha hesitated. If Thor weren't here, she might have considered a temporary compromise for the sake of peace. But now, she stood by Thor without question.

Ironically, Tony, with his business, stood to lose the most if the Accords passed. Steve, with no personal obligations, was the least affected. By those terms, Tony should be the hardest to sway, while Steve could accept it easily.

Yet here they were, making choices driven not by self-interest but by what they believed was right.

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